Drug-Free Campus Information

The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendment of 1989, enacted by Congress as Public Law 101-226, requires an institution of higher education to adopt and implement a program designed to prevent the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees. In some cases, conviction of drug-related offenses could result in the student’s ineligibility for federal funds or other forms of assistance.

GHC is committed to providing education in an environment which is conducive to do so. As such, the manufacture, possession, distribution, or use of illegal drugs and the use of alcohol or tobacco is strictly prohibited on the premises of GHC or any of its clinical affiliates.

Alcohol abuse and the use of illegal drugs can significantly affect the GHC community. Such use and abuse is harmful to relationships, family life, work, creativity, and study. GHC is committed to assisting members of this community in facing the challenges of drug use and alcohol abuse, and a list of resources is included at the end of this document.

In response to this concern and pursuant to the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 and the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, GHC has a comprehensive program to prevent the use of illegal drugs and the abuse of alcohol. GHC reviews its program every two years to determine its effectiveness, implement any necessary changes, and ensure that the required disciplinary sanctions are consistently enforced.

GHC observes all laws and regulations governing the sale, purchase, and serving of alcoholic beverages by all members of its community and expects that these laws, regulations and procedures are adhered to. The unlawful possession, use, manufacture, distribution, or sale of illicit drugs or alcohol by any GHC student or employee on GHC property or as part of or in connection with any GHC activity is prohibited. This includes activities on the GHC campus and at off-campus functions.

GHC students and employees are subject to all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations, as well as all GHC drug and alcohol policies, including policies set forth in the GHC Policies and Procedures manual. Criminal penalties for violation of such laws can range from fines to imprisonment for terms up to and including life in prison.

A student will be ineligible for financial aid if the student is convicted of an offense under federal or state law involving possession or sale of a controlled substance, provided the conduct occurred while the student was enrolled and receiving financial aid. Ineligibility will run from the date of conviction for the following periods of time:

For drug possession: a first offense carries a one-year disqualification, a second offense carries a two-year disqualification, and a third offense makes the student ineligible indefinitely.

For sale of a controlled substance: a first offense carries a two-year disqualification, and a second offense makes the student ineligible indefinitely.

A student can regain eligibility by successfully completing an approved drug rehabilitation program.

Members of the GHC community who are found to be in violation of the GHC alcohol and/or drug policies will face disciplinary action up to and including expulsion for students, discharge/termination for employees, and/or referral for legal prosecution in accordance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations. Disciplinary sanctions may also include completion of an appropriate rehabilitation program.

Violations of the Drug Free Workplace Act:

Federal law requires that all employees engaging in the performance of work supported by a federal grant or contract must, as a condition of employment, notify GHC of any conviction for a violation of a criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace no later than five days after the conviction. Failure to report a conviction is grounds for dismissal.

Health Risk:

The health consequences of alcohol abuse and substance use may be immediate and unpredictable, such as fatalities associated with alcohol poisoning and drug overdose, or more subtle and long term, such as liver and brain damage associated with the prolonged use of alcohol. In addition to health related problems, alcohol abuse and substance use are associated with financial difficulties, interpersonal conflicts, domestic violence, deterioration of the family structure, accidental injuries or fatality, and may significantly impact academic and work performance.

1. Alcohol and Other Depressants [barbiturates, sedatives, and tranquilizers] – “Alcohol, tranquilizers, and sedatives are all considered depressants. These drugs depress the central nervous system by mimicking either the brain’s natural sedating chemicals or by diminishing the brain’s natural ability to produce stimulating chemicals.”

Short-term effects- “Alcohol consumption causes a number of marked changes in behavior; even low doses significantly impair judgment and coordination. Moderate to high doses cause significant impairments in higher mental functions, severely altering a person’s ability to learn and remember information. Very high doses can cause respiratory depression and death. The effects of other depressants are similar to those of alcohol: large doses can cause slurred speech, poor motor coordination, altered perception, psychosis, hallucinations and paranoid delusions, coma, or death.”

Long-term effects-“Long-term effects of using alcohol include addiction, depression, accidents as a result of impaired ability, ulcers, gastritis, pancreatitis, fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, chronic active hepatitis, and cirrhosis. Long-term use of other depressants can also lead to addiction, including both physical and psychological dependence. Regular use over time may result in a tolerance to the drug. Withdrawal symptoms may range from restlessness, insomnia, and anxiety, to convulsions and death.”

2. Nicotine – “Nicotine, one of more than 4,000 chemicals found in the smoke from tobacco products, is the primary component in tobacco that acts on the brain. Nicotine is absorbed through the skin and mucosal lining of the mouth and nose or by inhalation in the lungs. Nicotine increases the levels of dopamine in the brain. The acute effects of nicotine dissipate in a few minutes, causing the smoker to continue dosing frequently throughout the day to maintain the drug’s pleasurable effects and prevent withdrawal. Effects of use include addiction, high blood pressure, emphysema, heart and lung disease, and cancer.”

3. Marijuana - “It stores itself in the fatty tissue of the brain, reproductive organs, liver, lungs, and spleen, where it causes tissue damage and hinders normal body function. In the brain, it widens the gaps between nerve cells causing decreased transmission of impulses. This can result in speech problems, memory and learning problems, physical impairment, and can interfere with judgment, and cause difficulty with thinking and solving problems. Use can also elevate anxiety and cause a panic reaction. Long-term use can cause permanent memory problems. There is also an increased risk of developing respiratory problems including, but not limited to, cancer.”

Effects: Acute cardiovascular or cerebro-vascular emergencies such as heart attack or stroke can result from use, regardless of frequency. Coca ethylene, created by the liver when cocaine and alcohol are used, increases the chance of sudden death. Addiction, lung damage, depression, paranoia, and toxic psychosis are also possible. Similar risks are presented by the use of speed and uppers.

5. Ecstasy - “Ecstasy is a synthetic drug, and is similar to both methamphetamine and mescaline, which is a hallucinogenic. It mainly affects the body by affecting neurons that use the chemical serotonin, which can greatly affect mood, aggression, sexual activity, sleep, and sensitivity to pain. In high doses, Ecstasy can interfere with the body’s ability to regulate temperature, which can lead to a sharp increase in body temperature, resulting in liver, kidney, and cardiovascular system failure.”

6. Hallucinogens - “PCP is a white crystalline powder that is readily soluble in water or alcohol. LSD [lysergic acid diethylamide] is manufactured from lysergic acid, which is found in ergot, a fungus that grows on rye and other grains. The effects of these substances are unpredictable, and depend on the amount taken, the user’s personality and mood, and the surroundings in which the drug is used.”

Short-term effects: “These drugs alter user’s perception of time and space by changing the way the brain interprets stimulus. They also increase heart rate and blood pressure, which can lead to coma, or heart and lung failure. High doses can cause symptoms that mimic schizophrenia, such as delusions, hallucinations, paranoia, disordered thinking, a sensation of distance from one’s environment, and catatonia. Speech is often sparse and garbled. PCP can be addictive.”

Long-term effects: “Flashbacks can occur days, months, or even years after use. Users can also experience decreased motivation, prolonged depression, increased anxiety, increased delusions and panic, and psychosis such as schizophrenia or severe depression.”

7. Narcotics [Opium, morphine, codeine, heroin] - “Narcotics include opium, opium derivatives, and semi-synthetic substitutes of opium derivatives. Narcotic use is associated with a variety of unwanted effects including drowsiness, inability to concentrate, apathy, lessened physical activity, constriction of the pupils, dilation of the subcutaneous blood vessels causing flushing of the face and neck, constipation, nausea and vomiting, and most significantly, respiratory depression. As the dose is increased, the subjective, analgesic and toxic effects become more pronounced.

Short-term effects: Short term effects include restlessness, irritability, and loss of appetite, nausea, tremors, and drug craving.

Long-term effects: “Long term effects include addiction, accidental overdose, and risk of hepatitis and AIDS infection from contaminated needles.”

Long-term effects: The greatest risk from these drugs is the significant chance for dependence. This can lead to greater doses and increased frequency of use. Attempting to cease use without proper medical help after dependence has been established can be dangerous and even fatal.

9. Inhalants [gas, aerosols, glue, nitrites, nitrous oxide] - “Inhalants are breathable chemical vapors that produce psychoactive effects. A variety of products common in the home and in the workplace contain substances that can be inhaled:

Nitrites — volatiles including cyclohexyl, butyl, and amyl nitrites, and are commonly known as “poppers.” Volatile nitrites are often sold in small brown bottles and labeled as “video head cleaner,” “room deodorizer,” “leather cleaner or liquid aroma.”

Short-term effects: “These chemicals slow down the body’s functions, and can cause momentary intoxication which, if continued, can lead to stimulation, reduced inhibition, and ultimately loss of consciousness. Using solvents or aerosol sprays can induce heart failure and death, known as “sudden sniffing death.” This effect is mostly associated with butane, propane, and chemicals in aerosols.”

10. GHB [gamma hydroxybutyrate] is a central nervous system depressant. It is made from a gamma butyrolactone and sodium or potassium hydroxide, which means that it is essentially degreasing solvent or floor stripper combined with drain cleaner. In liquid form it is usually clear and looks like water. GHB and two of its precursors, gamma butyrolactone [GBL] and 1, 4 butanediol [BD] have been characterized as predatory drugs used to commit acts of sexual violence.”

Effects: Abuse of GHB can cause amnesia, coma and/or seizures, inability to move, or impaired speech. There is also a risk of death, especially when combined with alcohol or other drugs.

Resources for Evaluation and Treatment

A variety of resources within the area exist for alcohol and other drug prevention, education, counseling, and referral.

The Drug Free Schools and Campuses Regulations (34 CFR Part 86) of the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) require an Institution of Higher Education (IHE) such as Global Health College (GHC), to certify that it has implemented programs to prevent the abuse of alcohol and use, and /or distribution of illicit drugs both by GHC students and employees either on its premises and as a part of any of its activities.